I saw the Chicago Symphony perform Brahms' Eine Deutsche Requiem tonight with Riccardo Muti in Chicago. It was really a very beautiful and thoughtful performance. It made me think a lot. I could tell the musicians were thinking a lot, had thought a lot. I did feel that the CSO suffered a little bit from the same thing many American orchestras seem to have trouble with, which is ... thinking too much. It seems American orchestras tend to aim for, and achieve, technically perfect concerts. Every note is placed precisely where it ought to be, with exactly the correct emphasis. Everything is right. But they seem to sacrifice a certain amount of passion and humanity. And the Brahms' Requiem. I mean, come on, it's a Requiem. It's about dead people. About death. Humanity is essential. But the point of this post is not to talk about the faults of the Chicago Symphony. As if I could even dream of doing that.
As everything in this world should be, this post is about me. (Please, note my sarcasm.) But seriously. During the first movement of the Requiem, what kept going through my mind was 1 Corinthians 13. If I am the best musician on stage, but I have not Love ... I am nothing. I am worthless. I am an out-of-tune piano. (That just reminded me of Rob Bell's Nooma video called "Rhythm." Check it out if you can.)
I want to play in an orchestra. I want to play in the Chicago Symphony. But I would choose an orchestra that plays with passion, that remembers they love music, that puts themselves on the line for their audience members over one that is known and well-respected and technically perfect. I want to take risks musically ... even though I don't in my own practice. But I want to start. I would rather be in a passionate ensemble than a perfect one. Maybe I would join an ensemble who has forgotten the music, in order to help them remember. Maybe this is precisely why I'm in the Halo Ensemble (which is what I'm doing in Chicago in the first place, right now.)
I also thought that there is no reason on Earth why I shouldn't be in an orchestra. A Good one even. Maybe more on that later. For now. A song. By Coldplay. And bedtime. Finally.
Strawberry Swing
Coldplay
They were sitting, they were sitting in the strawberry swing
And every moment was so precious
They were sitting, they were talking in the strawberry swing
And everybody was for fighting
Wouldn't wanna waste a thing
Cold, cold water bring me 'round
Now my feet won't touch the ground
Cold, cold water
What you say?
It's such, it's such a perfect day
It's such a perfect day
I remember we were walking up to strawberry swing
I can't wait 'til the morning
Wouldn't wanna change a thing
People moving all the time
Inside a perfect straight line
Don't you wanna curve away
It's such it's such a perfect day
It's such a perfect day
Ahhhh....
Now the sky could be blue
I don't mind
Without you its a waste of time
...could be blue I don't mind, without you it's a waste of time
The sky could be blue, could be gray without you I just slide away
The sky could be blue, I don't mind, without you it's a waste of time
Showing posts with label Halo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halo. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Be Thou My Vision
I'm sitting in the living room of Pauliina's little townhouse and it's wonderful. Jenn just played "Be Thou My Vision" and now most of the ensemble is sitting around chatting. It's wonderful. Finland is beautiful. Really. Today has been a little bit of a difficult day for me in my figurative heart. I got up at noon today and showered. Then I went for a walk for a few hours by myself. It was wonderful and so nice, but also a little lonely. I spoke about it with Pauliina a little bit earlier today. I am beginning to think that my purpose in Hungary was to build people up while the LORD tore them down (in a good way). And perhaps my purpose in Finland is to be broken down. We'll just have to find out. Suffice it to say that things are going really well though. Laura is cooking up some great burgers in the kitchen and there is just fellowship, conversation, music and laughter going on around me. Praise the LORD, His love endures forever!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
I really apologize for my lack of posting. I am sure you all understand, but still, I have wanted to keep you all updated and informed and aware, but I just haven't been able to. Not to mention I have wanted to keep track of my travels for my own sake. Hopefully this one can bring you up to speed a little bit.
I am still in Hungary at the Summer Institute with the Halo Ensemble. Things are going well but there has been a tension this whole time between the ensemble and the festival. We are technically here as volunteers and our job assignment is to be "dorm parents" but the festival still needs a lot of help in the office and they look to us to get it done. It is great to be needed, but it is terrible when you can't provide the help necessary. As much as they need us to help, we need to be rehearsing. We are giving a concert on our own on Friday and really need to work on the music. So that has been very difficult.
On top of that, personally, if I know I have a move or something else important to do in a week, I start getting anxious to prepare for that thing, so my mind is pretty much already in Finland. So that tension is also present.
As a group a lot has been going on. We played in what's called a Creative Church service and it was a very powerful experience for those participating. It wasn't quite so powerful for me, but it was important in a different way. It was very significant for us as a group and for us to be used by the LORD despite the confusion and lack of preparation. We also learned afterwards that we may have the opportunity to make a cd with a therapist from Austria? Germany? So that is pretty exciting. We just hope it works out that way. We have also as a group had a chance to work privately with this therapist on improvising and worshipping in the Spirit. I personally had a very hard time with this. It brought up a lot of insecurities, but it seemed to be great for the group.
I think that is all I am going to say for now. In general it has been a great trip and again, like MasterWorks, I think I have grown, although not necessarily in ways I can pinpoint.
If you would like to keep me in prayer, I ask for thanksgiving to the LORD for His faithfulness and for prayer for my figurative heart because it seems to be in a couple of different places and I would like for it to return to me. Also pray for rest for me and the group. It is very busy and we are now starting to get very tired.
Thanks for being my friends and for being so wonderful. I do love you all and miss you very much. (Even if I am the only one reading this.)
I am still in Hungary at the Summer Institute with the Halo Ensemble. Things are going well but there has been a tension this whole time between the ensemble and the festival. We are technically here as volunteers and our job assignment is to be "dorm parents" but the festival still needs a lot of help in the office and they look to us to get it done. It is great to be needed, but it is terrible when you can't provide the help necessary. As much as they need us to help, we need to be rehearsing. We are giving a concert on our own on Friday and really need to work on the music. So that has been very difficult.
On top of that, personally, if I know I have a move or something else important to do in a week, I start getting anxious to prepare for that thing, so my mind is pretty much already in Finland. So that tension is also present.
As a group a lot has been going on. We played in what's called a Creative Church service and it was a very powerful experience for those participating. It wasn't quite so powerful for me, but it was important in a different way. It was very significant for us as a group and for us to be used by the LORD despite the confusion and lack of preparation. We also learned afterwards that we may have the opportunity to make a cd with a therapist from Austria? Germany? So that is pretty exciting. We just hope it works out that way. We have also as a group had a chance to work privately with this therapist on improvising and worshipping in the Spirit. I personally had a very hard time with this. It brought up a lot of insecurities, but it seemed to be great for the group.
I think that is all I am going to say for now. In general it has been a great trip and again, like MasterWorks, I think I have grown, although not necessarily in ways I can pinpoint.
If you would like to keep me in prayer, I ask for thanksgiving to the LORD for His faithfulness and for prayer for my figurative heart because it seems to be in a couple of different places and I would like for it to return to me. Also pray for rest for me and the group. It is very busy and we are now starting to get very tired.
Thanks for being my friends and for being so wonderful. I do love you all and miss you very much. (Even if I am the only one reading this.)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Hide and Seek
Hello again!
First thing is first. This touring Halo Ensemble I'm in has a website! I'm so silly and don't think I've posted it, yet, so here it is!
http://haloensemble.org
Check it out! We'll have a blog on there as well ... and since more people are going to be involved in it, hopefully it will get updated more often than mine ... then again maybe it will be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen. Let's hope 1) I can be more disciplined and diligent and 2) that too many cooks thing doesn't happen/plague the ensemble.
Good news! We've given our first official concert. It was on Tuesday evening. It was pretty "thrown together" and as a group, it was a pretty big wake-up call that God will hold up His end of the deal, but we have to do some work as well. It's a joint project of ours. Nevertheless, it was pretty well received and we're raised some money from it! Hooray! We've also been able to get the word out and have some new people sign up for the email list, which is fantastic!
Laura has been working hard and gotten the fundraising letter together for us ... which was a big task for her. Since our trip is coming up so soon, we're having to do a lot of retroactive fundraising, but we know the LORD is faithful and we're investing trusting in Him and His vision for the group. His abundance knows no limits! Praise Him!
We've had confirmation from a good friend of ours, Christian, that he is for sure coming to Hungary to be a part of Crescendo. It's been pretty up in the air, but he is coming to play with us and be part of the festival and we're so excited for that! It's truly an answer to prayer in a huge way! But also the beginning of more prayer, that the festival will be a wonderful time of renewing and preparation for him.
On a personal note, I just returned early this morning (3 am) from a good friend's wedding in Michigan. Personally, internally, it was a difficult two days and I'm exhausted in many ways! But it was also wonderful to be there for Erin and her family. It was such an honor to be a part of the wedding and be able to rejoice with the rejoicers in a more intimate way. She was (and still is) a beautiful bride and the complete opposite of a bridezilla! She was so calm the whole time, even if she was faking it, it was incredible. Regardless of anything that happened that day (and with the exception of the harpist, the groom stepping on the bride's dress not ten minutes into their new marriage, and my camera taking a little tumble, everything went swimmingly!), by the end of it, they're married!!! AMAZING!
MasterWorks unofficially ended today. Almost all of the students have gone home, a few are just lingering, extending their departure and trying to avoid the unavoidable. All that are left are a few suckers (like me), counselors and staff members. The campus has turned into a little bit of a ghost town now, but it's okay. Very shortly the withdrawal and sadness will set it, if it hasn't already. But there will always be next summer ... or if not, then eternity.
I'm not very good with goodbyes, myself. Good thing there's Eternity! Honestly, I'd be a constant mess if it weren't for that Hope.
First thing is first. This touring Halo Ensemble I'm in has a website! I'm so silly and don't think I've posted it, yet, so here it is!
http://haloensemble.org
Check it out! We'll have a blog on there as well ... and since more people are going to be involved in it, hopefully it will get updated more often than mine ... then again maybe it will be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen. Let's hope 1) I can be more disciplined and diligent and 2) that too many cooks thing doesn't happen/plague the ensemble.
Good news! We've given our first official concert. It was on Tuesday evening. It was pretty "thrown together" and as a group, it was a pretty big wake-up call that God will hold up His end of the deal, but we have to do some work as well. It's a joint project of ours. Nevertheless, it was pretty well received and we're raised some money from it! Hooray! We've also been able to get the word out and have some new people sign up for the email list, which is fantastic!
Laura has been working hard and gotten the fundraising letter together for us ... which was a big task for her. Since our trip is coming up so soon, we're having to do a lot of retroactive fundraising, but we know the LORD is faithful and we're investing trusting in Him and His vision for the group. His abundance knows no limits! Praise Him!
We've had confirmation from a good friend of ours, Christian, that he is for sure coming to Hungary to be a part of Crescendo. It's been pretty up in the air, but he is coming to play with us and be part of the festival and we're so excited for that! It's truly an answer to prayer in a huge way! But also the beginning of more prayer, that the festival will be a wonderful time of renewing and preparation for him.
On a personal note, I just returned early this morning (3 am) from a good friend's wedding in Michigan. Personally, internally, it was a difficult two days and I'm exhausted in many ways! But it was also wonderful to be there for Erin and her family. It was such an honor to be a part of the wedding and be able to rejoice with the rejoicers in a more intimate way. She was (and still is) a beautiful bride and the complete opposite of a bridezilla! She was so calm the whole time, even if she was faking it, it was incredible. Regardless of anything that happened that day (and with the exception of the harpist, the groom stepping on the bride's dress not ten minutes into their new marriage, and my camera taking a little tumble, everything went swimmingly!), by the end of it, they're married!!! AMAZING!
MasterWorks unofficially ended today. Almost all of the students have gone home, a few are just lingering, extending their departure and trying to avoid the unavoidable. All that are left are a few suckers (like me), counselors and staff members. The campus has turned into a little bit of a ghost town now, but it's okay. Very shortly the withdrawal and sadness will set it, if it hasn't already. But there will always be next summer ... or if not, then eternity.
I'm not very good with goodbyes, myself. Good thing there's Eternity! Honestly, I'd be a constant mess if it weren't for that Hope.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Can't Go Back Now
Alright, here's the skinny on the traveling this summer ... the extended version. Prepare. Grab a cup of hot chocolate. Put on your pajamas and slippers. Grab that favorite pillow that you love to nestle under your forearms. Ready? I'll give you a few more minutes. No hurry. Really.
*cue flashback music*
Last summer during the MasterWorks Festival (Christian performing arts festival) a guest faculty member spoke about a similar festival taking place in Hungary which was called the Crescendo Summer Institute and was in need of horn players, violinists and Christians in general. Several of my friends went and although it seemed like a great idea to me, they didn't need any oboists, I had already been to Ireland that summer and funds were low ... plus I wanted to go because my friends were going, not really because the Lord was calling me, blah blah blah. Several of my American friends met some European friends at this festival. They stayed in touch.
In Decemberish, one of those American friends traveled to Finland to join a couple of the European friends. Together they wound up doing some impromptu living room concerts (like the old school salons for those music nerds reading this) and times of sharing their faith and their music and the blending of those two worlds. It was greatly received and very affective. The Spirit was definitely in those times.
These friends then shared a common vision of making that happen more often and with great purpose.
I saw the pictures and thought Finland was a place I now really needed to go. I told my friend Laura this. [She plays flute and currently lives in Boston attending the Longy school.] Laura told me about the vision and plans of theirs. I was sold.
*end flashback sequence*
Now here is what that plan is ... more or less.
In one week, I will travel with a cast of characters across the ocean to Helsinki and then on to Budapest, Hungary. My little crew in planning on arriving in Budapest on July 24. We will then go through some training and organizational days in Budapest at the headquarters of the Summer Institute with the people in charge of the festival (Fruszina). July 27th we will travel by train for a few hours northeast to Sárospatak which is the location of the Summer Institute. (I really hope I spelled that right.) We will be apparently living on the castle grounds and volunteering with the festival (ie. dorm parents, Bible study leaders, prayer group leaders, working with children, working in the office, organizing schedules,etc.) The Institute is two weeks long, culminating in a weekend of concerts (one of which our particular ensemble - the Halo Ensemble - will be featured performers). The Institute has top performers giving lessons and masterclasses to the students, chamber music, and orchestral rehearsals. In addition there are optional Bible studies for the students. But unlike the American "counterpart" of MasterWorks, the Bible studies are required.
[A little about the Summer Institute. It is sponsored by Crescendo, which is essentially the European performing arts arm of Campus Crusade for Christ. Crescendo is (I think) based in Switzerland.]
Following the Institute, the Halo Ensemble will travel to Helsinki (picking up a few new members and saying tearful "until we meet agains" to others) where we will give a few more concerts (in churches and coffee shops) before heading to northern Finland to the cottage of one of our group members for a little debriefing and R&R. We will be in Finland about 10 days. Part of our mission in Finland is called "Night of Faith." As I understand it, it's a weekend retreat-type for Christian performing artists in the area. A chance to fellowship, encourage, discuss and grow. The essential purpose of Night of Faith is to eventually establish a Crescendo branch in Finland -- this is the vision of Pauliina, one of our members. And our ensemble supports her in this!
After Helsinki, I and a couple of the other Americans will fly back to the States and head immediately to Baltimore for the wedding of two of our beloved MasterWorks-ers. Nothing like a MasterWorks wedding! Dr. Kavanaugh is so proud!
Now: To meet this cast of characters. These are the people coveting your prayers.
The Halo Ensemble presents:
Pauliina -- cellist, staff member with Crescendo, Finnish, heart for the Gospel and seekers
Laura -- flautist, one of the original three, American, wound up with the burden of organizing all this people into some coherent formation (bless her)
Caroline -- violinist, Canadian, unbelievable player, incredibly strong spirit - so gentle, and unyielding in the Truth, I'm not sure she sins. (I kid!)
Chiara -- violinist, Swiss, brilliant and bright Spirit, in Germany for the Hungary portion but joining us in Finland
Jenna -- violinist, teacher, American, faithful and excited
Bobby -- cellist, American, living in Cleveland, thoughtful, hilarious and a ladies' man
Carl -- bassoonist, American, living in Chicago, attending Wheaton, faithful, likes to climb trees
Jennifer -- pianist, American, living in D.C., beautiful in every way
Joy -- soprano, American, living in Indiana, works for CPAF (the MasterWorks people), true to her name
Michael -- violinist, violist, bagpiper, accordianist, American, comic relief with a sincere heart, has been living on a boat for the past six months
Christian -- violist, American, living in Austria, doing a chamber music thing with the Vienna Philharmonic this summer, joining us for only Hungary
Lara -- violist, American, joining us for Finland only
Bekah -- violist, American, Lara's sister, joining us for Finland only
Anna -- violinist, American, attended Crescendo last summer (pioneer), helping with rehearsals in America, getting married
Andrew -- saxophonist, Scottish fantasy, our prayer warrior, with us in Spirit and perhaps joining us somewhere along the way ...
Jacob -- French horn, American, attended Crescendo last summer, has a great heart to return this summer, attending Colburn in the fall, needs money
Jake -- violist and composer, MasterWorks kid, not traveling, but composing a piece for us to perform overseas ... his name travels with us, his beautiful wife is pregnant, pray for her and rejoice with them
Our personnel is changing daily, to be completely honest. But this is the most complete list I can think of. If you've made it this far, buy yourself a candy bar and don't even feel bad about it. Then pray for us all. We certainly need it! There are a lot of people and plans to coordinate; there are finances to be obtained; there's music to find; there are hearts to be awakened; there is love to be shared; there is Gospel to tell. There is so much to do! And we cannot do it without your prayer and support. There will also be so much more to come. Please join us!
*cue flashback music*
Last summer during the MasterWorks Festival (Christian performing arts festival) a guest faculty member spoke about a similar festival taking place in Hungary which was called the Crescendo Summer Institute and was in need of horn players, violinists and Christians in general. Several of my friends went and although it seemed like a great idea to me, they didn't need any oboists, I had already been to Ireland that summer and funds were low ... plus I wanted to go because my friends were going, not really because the Lord was calling me, blah blah blah. Several of my American friends met some European friends at this festival. They stayed in touch.
In Decemberish, one of those American friends traveled to Finland to join a couple of the European friends. Together they wound up doing some impromptu living room concerts (like the old school salons for those music nerds reading this) and times of sharing their faith and their music and the blending of those two worlds. It was greatly received and very affective. The Spirit was definitely in those times.
These friends then shared a common vision of making that happen more often and with great purpose.
I saw the pictures and thought Finland was a place I now really needed to go. I told my friend Laura this. [She plays flute and currently lives in Boston attending the Longy school.] Laura told me about the vision and plans of theirs. I was sold.
*end flashback sequence*
Now here is what that plan is ... more or less.
In one week, I will travel with a cast of characters across the ocean to Helsinki and then on to Budapest, Hungary. My little crew in planning on arriving in Budapest on July 24. We will then go through some training and organizational days in Budapest at the headquarters of the Summer Institute with the people in charge of the festival (Fruszina). July 27th we will travel by train for a few hours northeast to Sárospatak which is the location of the Summer Institute. (I really hope I spelled that right.) We will be apparently living on the castle grounds and volunteering with the festival (ie. dorm parents, Bible study leaders, prayer group leaders, working with children, working in the office, organizing schedules,etc.) The Institute is two weeks long, culminating in a weekend of concerts (one of which our particular ensemble - the Halo Ensemble - will be featured performers). The Institute has top performers giving lessons and masterclasses to the students, chamber music, and orchestral rehearsals. In addition there are optional Bible studies for the students. But unlike the American "counterpart" of MasterWorks, the Bible studies are required.
[A little about the Summer Institute. It is sponsored by Crescendo, which is essentially the European performing arts arm of Campus Crusade for Christ. Crescendo is (I think) based in Switzerland.]
Following the Institute, the Halo Ensemble will travel to Helsinki (picking up a few new members and saying tearful "until we meet agains" to others) where we will give a few more concerts (in churches and coffee shops) before heading to northern Finland to the cottage of one of our group members for a little debriefing and R&R. We will be in Finland about 10 days. Part of our mission in Finland is called "Night of Faith." As I understand it, it's a weekend retreat-type for Christian performing artists in the area. A chance to fellowship, encourage, discuss and grow. The essential purpose of Night of Faith is to eventually establish a Crescendo branch in Finland -- this is the vision of Pauliina, one of our members. And our ensemble supports her in this!
After Helsinki, I and a couple of the other Americans will fly back to the States and head immediately to Baltimore for the wedding of two of our beloved MasterWorks-ers. Nothing like a MasterWorks wedding! Dr. Kavanaugh is so proud!
Now: To meet this cast of characters. These are the people coveting your prayers.
The Halo Ensemble presents:
Pauliina -- cellist, staff member with Crescendo, Finnish, heart for the Gospel and seekers
Laura -- flautist, one of the original three, American, wound up with the burden of organizing all this people into some coherent formation (bless her)
Caroline -- violinist, Canadian, unbelievable player, incredibly strong spirit - so gentle, and unyielding in the Truth, I'm not sure she sins. (I kid!)
Chiara -- violinist, Swiss, brilliant and bright Spirit, in Germany for the Hungary portion but joining us in Finland
Jenna -- violinist, teacher, American, faithful and excited
Bobby -- cellist, American, living in Cleveland, thoughtful, hilarious and a ladies' man
Carl -- bassoonist, American, living in Chicago, attending Wheaton, faithful, likes to climb trees
Jennifer -- pianist, American, living in D.C., beautiful in every way
Joy -- soprano, American, living in Indiana, works for CPAF (the MasterWorks people), true to her name
Michael -- violinist, violist, bagpiper, accordianist, American, comic relief with a sincere heart, has been living on a boat for the past six months
Christian -- violist, American, living in Austria, doing a chamber music thing with the Vienna Philharmonic this summer, joining us for only Hungary
Lara -- violist, American, joining us for Finland only
Bekah -- violist, American, Lara's sister, joining us for Finland only
Anna -- violinist, American, attended Crescendo last summer (pioneer), helping with rehearsals in America, getting married
Andrew -- saxophonist, Scottish fantasy, our prayer warrior, with us in Spirit and perhaps joining us somewhere along the way ...
Jacob -- French horn, American, attended Crescendo last summer, has a great heart to return this summer, attending Colburn in the fall, needs money
Jake -- violist and composer, MasterWorks kid, not traveling, but composing a piece for us to perform overseas ... his name travels with us, his beautiful wife is pregnant, pray for her and rejoice with them
Our personnel is changing daily, to be completely honest. But this is the most complete list I can think of. If you've made it this far, buy yourself a candy bar and don't even feel bad about it. Then pray for us all. We certainly need it! There are a lot of people and plans to coordinate; there are finances to be obtained; there's music to find; there are hearts to be awakened; there is love to be shared; there is Gospel to tell. There is so much to do! And we cannot do it without your prayer and support. There will also be so much more to come. Please join us!
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